Benicàssim Festival 2014 lineup rumours

Benicàssim is tempting us with the mighty fine Spanish weather (Image: shaunjones_72)

Benicàssim, or Festival Internacional de Benicàssim as it is sometimes known, is one of Europe’s biggest festivals and great tourist draw for the Spaniards, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2014.

With a lively mix of local and international artists hitched on for the ride, this year’s July festivities included headliners Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age, with other well known acts Dizzee Rascal, La Roux and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club ensuring there’s something for the jack-of-all-tastes.

Spanning four days, tickets to Benicàssim work out at around A$250. Considering a Splendour In The Grass weekend will set you back around $500 if you’re lucky, it is almost worth taking the trip over to Europe for. Hey, we only get acts like that at Big Day Out, and four days of it would be massive – everyone needs a holiday once in a while!

The lineup hasn’t actually been released yet, but the dates have been confirmed for the 17th – 20th July 2014; smack bang in the middle of the gorgeous European summer. This gives all of us here in the southern hemisphere enough time to plan a financially viable European getaway.

As it’s an anniversary festival, we’re expecting the lineup to be an absolute smasher. Rumours include a return for indie-gods Kaiser Chiefs, who rocked one of the smaller stages last year and are looking at being moved up the bill this time around. Another old faithful for the rock fans amongst us, Primal Scream may also be making a second appearance.

As a primarily an alternative/indie/rock oriented event, there’s been speculation that a metal act may headline Benicassim this year. Interestingly, the UK’s Download Festival finishes the day before Benicàssim starts, so Iron Maiden, Motö

rhead and Alice In Chains could all potentially fly over to kick some ass on a European leg of their festival tours. Or so we hope.

It’s looking like rap and hip hop may have more of a bearing on the lineup next year too, however; these genres have never been a main attraction for the Spanish event in the past, but as each year passes, a couple more sneak onto the lineup and there’s speculation that the promoters are looking to diversify.

Electronic acts have always had their place in Benicàssim’s heart – and the crowd’s eardrums – with acts such as British hip hop/electo duo Rizzle Kicks putting on an amazing set last year.

Regarding the experience itself; think of a four-day-long Big Day Out, that feels more like Soundwave without the weird thirteen-year-old emo kids that kinda put a downer on seeing the bands you liked in high school for shits and giggles, what with being there seriously and all …

Benicàssim promises you’ll be there seriously as well, with an insane party atmosphere placing way more emphasis on alcohol than drugs. Which, let’s be honest, when you’re potentially unable to wash and wanting to keep your energy up for that long, is probably a good thing.

Why are you gonna have such an awesome time, if you make the trek over? The emphasis the organisers place on providing relevant, contemporary artists that show up, rock the hell out of an audience with a great live show, means that this is no gimmick.

As one of Europe’s longest standing festivals, they know how to bring their A-game every year, and the 20th anniversary shitstorm (the good kind, we hope) will be no exception.